To listen to RealAudio sound clips, you'll need:

• The most current version of the RealAudio Player. If you don't have it installed, you can download either a free basic version or a full-featured version from the RealNetworks Web site. Follow the download and install instructions on the RealNetworks download page.
   
• An Internet connection of at least 14.4 Kbps. We recommend a 28.8 modem or faster to get the best sound quality.
   
• A Web browser capable of handling "helper apps.," also known as "plug-ins." Netscape Navigator/Communicator and Microsoft Internet Explorer are ideal. The RealAudio Player works from within your Web browser to help you listen to streaming audio.

Before you contact CDNOW with troubleshooting requests or comments about sound clip playability, please read RealAudio's Help and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). Most common questions about installing and using the RealAudio player are answered there.
 
It is a good idea to test the RealAudio player first with a file on your computer's own hard drive, such as the "welcome.ra" file that comes with the player, before trying to listen to music clips from CDNOW.

 

How do I play Windows Media sound samples?

To listen to Windows Media sound samples you need to install the Windows Media™ Player on your computer. It's FREE and easy to install. If you do not have the Windows Media Player, you may get the Player now.

Do I have to pay for the Windows Media™ Player software?

No. The Windows Media™ Player software is FREE.

How do I install the Windows Media™ Player software?

To download and install the Windows Media™ Player using Internet Explorer:
 

1. Click "Get Windows Media Player now" below.
2. In the box that pops up, select Run this program from its current location and then click OK.
3. When the security warning appears, click Yes to continue installing.
4. The program will then present you with an End User License Agreement. Click Yes if you agree to comply.
5. While installing the Media Player, you'll specify your Internet connection speed. Choose between 14.4K, 19.2K, 28.8K, 56K Modem/ISDN, 112K Modem/Dual-ISDN, T1/Lan, or Unknown/Other. If you do not know your connection speed, ask your network administrator or refer to your modem documentation
6. Click OK.

After you click OK, the Windows Media Player will open. You are now ready to listen to Windows Media sound samples.
 

Get the player now.

To download and install the Windows Media Player using Netscape Navigator or Communicator:

1. Click "Get Windows Media Player now" below.
2. In the box that pops up, choose the location to which you'd like to save the file. Click Save.
3. When your download is complete, locate the file on your computer's hard drive and double-click it to run setup. The Windows Media Player Setup window will recommend you exit all applications before continuing with the player installation. Close all programs, then click Yes.
4. The setup program will then present you with an End User License Agreement. Click Yes if you agree to comply.
5. While installing Windows Media Player, you'll specify your Internet connection speed. Choose between 14.4K, 19.2K, 28.8K, 56K Modem/ISDN, 112K Modem/Dual-ISDN, T1/Lan, or Unknown/Other. If you do not know your connection speed, ask your network administrator or refer to your modem documentation.
6. Click OK.

After you click OK, the Windows Media Player will open. You are now ready to listen to Windows Media sound samples.

Get the player now.

The sound samples are not playing. Why?

The server may be down... the content may have been moved... or the link to the content may be wrong. In these situations there's not much you can do. In some cases, network congestion could cause the player to time out. So, keep trying, or try again later when there may be less traffic on the Internet or on your network.

How do I play MPEG sound clips?

Most newer Web browsers will play our MPEG sound clips automatically when you click on them. Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator/Communicator are ideal. If your browser does not automatically play MPEG clips, we recommend upgrading to a newer browser.

If that is not possible, a variety of MPEG players are available at sites such as http://www.shareware.com. After you download and install a player, be sure to read the program's instructions to learn how to configure it to work with your browser and play MPEG clips automatically.

Why do MPEG sound clips stop playing or sound choppy?

Because they are higher quality, MPEG clips are much larger files than our RealAudio samples, and therefore will only stream (start playing immediately) on faster connections such as a T1 line or cable modem. If an MPEG clip starts playing and then stops or sounds choppy, use your player's (or browser's) playback controls to pause playback until the clip has finished downloading to your computer, then resume playback.

Which sound samples are better, RealAudio, Windows Media, or MPEG?

Our RealAudio clips are designed to stream (start playing immediately) even over slower modems, while MPEG clips are designed to sound better. If you have a 14.4, 28.8, or even 56k modem and you want to listen very quickly to a sample of a song, click on RealAudio or Windows Media song samples. If you have a fast Internet connection (e.g., ISDN, T1 line, ADSL or cable modem), or if you just want to hear higher quality samples, choose MPEG clips.

While MPEG clips are higher quality audio than our RealAudio and Windows Media samples, they are NOT full CD quality.